There was bafflement in the build-up to the series because TNT Sports announced that some commentary would be done from the UK. Why? And by commentators who are not best known for cricket. Again, why?
First, commentator Alastair Eykyn, more of a rugby man (admits it), said, “what an atmosphere here this afternoon” but then “morning boys” to Cook and Finn. Flown out at the 11th hour and time-zone befuddled by jet-lag? Concussed in the ruck? Who knows?
The other caller, Rob Hatch [of cycling fame] was paired with Ebony Rainford-Brent and the sound level was different so I am sure that they, at least, were in London. “Morning everyone. Shouldn’t you all be asleep? England haven’t quite been Burnsed. Morning Ebbs,” he said as his opening burst, and it all had the knockabout amateur feel of Test Match Sofa, if you recall that online unofficial commentary project from the 2010-2011 Ashes that found various comedians, cricket badgers, drunks and ne’er-do-wells broadcasting rights-free from South London.
Ebony RB has made a significant contribution to British sporting life but I am not sure even her staunchest supporters would name her in the top rank of cricket pundits. When Root was nearly run out at the non-striker’s end, the camera focused on Joe looking relieved and smiling, because he knew that his bat was grounded and none of the Aussie fielders were interested. Hatch: “That look doesn’t inspire confidence.” Mis-read, for me.
There was a large black band at the bottom of the screen [in mourning for the decent cricket coverage we once enjoyed?] with, annoyingly, the score written in Australian i.e. 4-105 not 105-4. Kilometres not mph too. Because TNT was using a host broadcaster’s pictures, we got unexpected and unexplained graphical pop-ups about the weight transfer of batters playing shots. When I say unexpected, I mean they were also unexpected to the commentators. “It’s clever, isn’t it?” said Cook. “Not sure what it’s telling us.”
